buying a car: opinions on rust please
Discussion
Hi All. Im looking to buy a car this weekend and would appreciate some opinions on the condition of the arches, both in terms of how bad it likely is and ball park how much to fix. its a 30 year old car so some issues are expected but its advertised at a strong price so would like to get a feel for impendind additional expense. many thanks in advance.
Valence, sills, rear quarters need poking through.
Tyres are odd and ancient, need changing.
Probably about as good as you’ll find on an unrepaired E30 though, this side of a white backdrop low mileage modern classic speculator type garage anyway.
P.S. it will be full of holes even if it doesn’t look that bad and you should assume that all four corners are going to need work- lots of strip to get at the sills and lots of paint work. It’s bound to be worse than it looks- why are they selling it?
Tyres are odd and ancient, need changing.
Probably about as good as you’ll find on an unrepaired E30 though, this side of a white backdrop low mileage modern classic speculator type garage anyway.
P.S. it will be full of holes even if it doesn’t look that bad and you should assume that all four corners are going to need work- lots of strip to get at the sills and lots of paint work. It’s bound to be worse than it looks- why are they selling it?
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 11th April 20:04
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 11th April 20:04
HustleRussell said:
Valence, sills, rear quarters need poking through.
Tyres are odd and ancient, need changing.
Probably about as good as you’ll find on an unrepaired E30 though, this side of a white backdrop low mileage modern classic speculator type garage anyway.
P.S. it will be full of holes even if it doesn’t look that bad and you should assume that all four corners are going to need work- lots of strip to get at the sills and lots of paint work. It’s bound to be worse than it looks- why are they selling it?
thanks hussle. Tyres are odd and ancient, need changing.
Probably about as good as you’ll find on an unrepaired E30 though, this side of a white backdrop low mileage modern classic speculator type garage anyway.
P.S. it will be full of holes even if it doesn’t look that bad and you should assume that all four corners are going to need work- lots of strip to get at the sills and lots of paint work. It’s bound to be worse than it looks- why are they selling it?
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 11th April 20:04
Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 11th April 20:04
with regard to “poking through” is that pretty much what it sounds to be, plus a patch up and repaint? as its the lower side of the car id probably be ok with that as a non perfect match wont be very noticeable. are you qualified/experienced to give a ball park estimate on the work you suggest?
car is selling due to change in family circumstances. im satisfied that its a genuine sale and not a punt on of a lemon.
The problem with this car is that it would appear to be rusting slightly but unfortunately it’s rusting slightly everywhere and the rust is always worse than it first appears.
Poking through is exactly what it sounds like but it is only the investigative stage of the repair. See how many holes you can poke in it, and where. Then see how big you can make the holes. It is simultaneously great fun and nerve-wracking.
This car is going to need a lot of work in the aft part of the sills and the rear inner and outer wheel arches. The fuel tank may have to come out for access in the filler neck area. There will be spread into the floor to some degree. Front jacking points may have started to rust too so it quickly becomes complete outer sills both sides. Strip, panel work and paint up to the rubbing strips will very quickly escalate to about £2k left unchecked so see if you can do a lot of the strip yourself.
Poking through is exactly what it sounds like but it is only the investigative stage of the repair. See how many holes you can poke in it, and where. Then see how big you can make the holes. It is simultaneously great fun and nerve-wracking.
This car is going to need a lot of work in the aft part of the sills and the rear inner and outer wheel arches. The fuel tank may have to come out for access in the filler neck area. There will be spread into the floor to some degree. Front jacking points may have started to rust too so it quickly becomes complete outer sills both sides. Strip, panel work and paint up to the rubbing strips will very quickly escalate to about £2k left unchecked so see if you can do a lot of the strip yourself.
HustleRussell said:
The problem with this car is that it would appear to be rusting slightly but unfortunately it’s rusting slightly everywhere and the rust is always worse than it first appears.
Poking through is exactly what it sounds like but it is only the investigative stage of the repair. See how many holes you can poke in it, and where. Then see how big you can make the holes. It is simultaneously great fun and nerve-wracking.
This car is going to need a lot of work in the aft part of the sills and the rear inner and outer wheel arches. The fuel tank may have to come out for access in the filler neck area. There will be spread into the floor to some degree. Front jacking points may have started to rust too so it quickly becomes complete outer sills both sides. Strip, panel work and paint up to the rubbing strips will very quickly escalate to about £2k left unchecked so see if you can do a lot of the strip yourself.
thank you sir. Poking through is exactly what it sounds like but it is only the investigative stage of the repair. See how many holes you can poke in it, and where. Then see how big you can make the holes. It is simultaneously great fun and nerve-wracking.
This car is going to need a lot of work in the aft part of the sills and the rear inner and outer wheel arches. The fuel tank may have to come out for access in the filler neck area. There will be spread into the floor to some degree. Front jacking points may have started to rust too so it quickly becomes complete outer sills both sides. Strip, panel work and paint up to the rubbing strips will very quickly escalate to about £2k left unchecked so see if you can do a lot of the strip yourself.
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